Highlights

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DNA barcodes are becoming an integral tool for the identification of species and the understanding of the evolution and ecology of biodiversity.

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Although the specification of a single short DNA region as a universal identifier for all of biodiversity has not materialized, a few genetic markers have now been identified to assist in the DNA barcode endeavor.

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DNA barcodes are providing resolved local phylogenies of plant taxa to aid understanding of the principles of how species are assembled into communities and the evolution of functional traits in these assemblages.

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Previous attempts to resolve multispecies interactions have been enhanced through use of DNA barcodes in investigations of trophic interactions and ecological forensics.